Spurs end Nets’ home winning streak

Tony Parker contributed 19 points and dished out six assists for the Spurs, who won for the eighth straight game.

Tim Duncan returned to the lineup after missing one game with flu-like symptoms and scored 12 points with seven rebounds and six assists in the victory.

Vince Carter led the Nets with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists as New Jersey’s 12-game winning streak at home came to an end. Nenad Krstic donated 17 points, while Richard Jefferson had 15.

Jason Kidd scored only eight points, but grabbed 13 boards and dished out seven assists in the loss.

The Spurs ended the third period with a 7-2 surge to take a 59-52 lead into the final quarter of action. San Antonio outscored the Nets 20-10 in the third frame with Ginobili netting 10 points. The 10 points scored in the quarter by New Jersey tied a season low.

The Nets, though, were able to tie the game up at 64-64 before the Spurs answered with a 10-2 run that Bruce Bowen capped with a three-pointer from the left corner to put San Antonio ahead at 74-66 with 2:56 remaining.

Bowen’s trey seemed to slow down the Nets as they never recovered the rest of the way.

With 1:09 remaining, Parker drove to the net and scooped in two points as he was fouled hard by Kidd. Parker hit the free throw to complete the three-point play and give the Spurs an 81-69 lead as the crowd headed for the exits.

The Nets outscored the Spurs 26-17 in the second stanza to take a 42-39 advantage into halftime. Carter led the way at the break with 12 points on 6- of-12 shooting from the floor.

San Antonio led 22-16 after the opening quarter.

Game Notes

San Antonio has won eight straight on the road and are 18-7 away from home this season...Bowen finished with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field...The Spurs shot 44 percent for the game and were 7-of-20 from beyond the arc...New Jersey dropped to 16-7 at home this season...Clifford Robinson scored eight points for the Nets...New Jersey was 1-for-13 on three-point attempts.